outcome
OWT-kum
/ˈaʊtkʌm/
The way a thing turns out; a consequence.
In business, 'outcome' is often contrasted with 'output'. Output is what you did (e.g., wrote 10 emails); outcome is what happened (e.g., made 2 sales).
The story behind the word. A simple Middle English compound: 'out' + 'come'. It literally means 'that which comes out' of a situation. It has been used since the 1200s to describe the end result of an event or process.
Word relationships
- result: Result is a general term; outcome often implies a more complex or long-term consequence.
- consequence: Consequence often has a negative connotation; outcome is usually neutral.
- cause: The cause is what starts a process; the outcome is how it ends.
Commonly confused with
- output: Output is the amount produced; outcome is the effect or result of that production.
Collocations
- positive outcome
- desired outcome
- likely outcome
- final outcome
Example sentences
- "The clinical trial had a very positive outcome, with 90% of patients showing improvement." A medical study.
- "We are waiting for the final outcome of the election before making any statements." A political speech.
Memory hook
The 'outcome' is what 'comes out' at the end. What comes out at the end.
When not to use
Don't use 'outcome' for the beginning of a process. It is strictly for the end result.
Fun facts
- In probability theory, an 'outcome' is one of the possible results of an experiment.
Related words
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